Ford Mustang Mach-1 review: iconic driving fun

There simply isn't a more iconic car than the Ford Mustang Mach-1. The original Mustang also promises a lot of driving fun in 2023 - which is completely true in our test. The pony accompanied us for two weeks for the detailed test report.

And finally ... After our test for Ford Mustang Mach-E GT A test of the cult Mustang Mach-1 was simply obvious. Electric vs. gasoline, calm vs. racing car feeling. When you get in and start the engine, the Mach-1 conveys such an ingenious wow feeling that you will only find in a few cars - including looks from everyone around. I've never looked at this car so often during testingprolittle wonder. With the deep engine rumble, combined with the cheeky design, this muscle car really stands out. Even if you can simulate this sound in the Mach-E GT, you will never achieve this feeling with an electric car.

What can I say? I'm still speechless after the test. With its taut chassis, the American cult star presses the asphalt in a sporty manner from 5.000 revolutions onwards pro Minute the engine shows its full power, which allows the rear to move even on dry roads. The infotainment system also works surprisingly well, although for a driver of this muscle car this will be a minor matter. The sound system with subwoofer is also brilliant. The only negative aspects are the lack of space in the back seat and the small display in the middle.

However, this breathtaking feeling with a high emission value has a tax disadvantage in Austria, the NoVA, which is reflected in the price from 94.588,35 euros (including 20% ​​VAT, 37% NoVA). For example, the Mach-1 is available in Germany at a list price starting at 67.000 euros (including 19% VAT).

• View Ford Mustang Mach-1 on the Ford website
• Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: Electric pony with lots of power

Pure cult

Ford simply couldn't have chosen a bolder, sportier and at the same time more cult design here. This has led many drivers on the motorway to immediately move into the right lane after it appears in their rear-view mirror. The design simply stands for performance. Ford delivered our test vehicle in the color “Fighter Jet Gray”, my favorite color from the available paint finishes.

Even when you get in, the cold, deep leather-look Recaro sports seats convey a racing car feeling. There is no seat heating or ventilation, but that would make you feel more comfortable than in the Mach-1. But if you decide against the sports seats, you will be pleased with seat ventilation. A heated steering wheel is available as standard for everyone. Everyone who comes here knows that they have something in their hands. The gear stick is the size of a golf ball, too, which makes shifting very pleasant with automatic double-declutching and a short gear ratio. Some test reports criticize the shifting that requires a lot of force, but I wouldn't have noticed that negatively.

The only thing that could be criticized inside is the lack of space in the back row, which offers space for a maximum of two people - little legroom included.

Pure driving fun

After getting in and pressing the start button, it starts - the engine is bubbling and shaking, waiting to finally be driven. Of course, this wish was fulfilled - up to a top speed of 267 km/h is possible here. Depending on the switching speed, the Mach-1 reaches 100 km/h in around 4,8 seconds. However, the 5,0 liter Ti-VCT V8 engine with 460 hp only develops its full power from 5.000 to 6.000 revolutions. The pony doesn't like driving at low revs at all, which is why you should definitely shift down from 6th to 5th or even 4th gear for a sprint on the highway in order to really race away. If you have to brake sometimes, you don't have to ProProblem – the Brembo brakes are powerful and perform sensationally.

While the electric counterpart Mach-E GT really pushes you into the seat from 0, the Mach-1 with a naturally aspirated engine only pushes forward from high speed, with the maximum torque being 529 Nm. But if you overestimate yourself here, you'll end up drifting faster than you'd like with your rear wheel when you turn at the traffic lights. Even if the electric performance is really fun from a standstill, the feeling of the combustion engine performance is indescribable - and even better from the combustion engine's aforementioned "comfort zone". However, if you are a novice driver or if the road conditions are wet or wintry, the Mach-1 should remain in the garage.

Pure racing car

But the whole thing has its price - at the latest at the gas pump, which you will often visit with the Mach-1. With its consumption of 12,4 l/100 km (according to WLTP), it is anything but economical. In the TechnikNews-Test with a road mix of local areas, country roads and motorways, consumption leveled off at around 13 liters per 100 kilometers. Don't worry, the electric Mustang isn't that much more economical either.

A nice extra is the adjustable speedometer design behind the steering wheel, which looks best in a sporty look for my taste. It is clear that a vehicle that is tailored to your own taste further increases the driving pleasure. Other things include the adjustable driving mode or the steering feel - but the former is already very sporty even in normal mode. The race track mode should really only be thereprobe beered where it belongs. The exhaust noise can also be adjusted, which regulates the volume from the setting “quiet” to “race track”.

With 6th gear and the exhaust note on “Quiet”, you can cruise comparatively “quietly” from time to time.

... also pure technology?

With the Mach-1, very few people will really value a spectacular infotainment system or assistance systems - but that's not what the muscle car is intended for, it's for driving. However, since we know from experience that this topic is still interesting for some, I will briefly address it in the following lines.

First of all, the infotainment isn't special, but it works well. In the middle there is a small touch display with the in-house SYNC3 software, which even supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via cable. The navigation system, hands-free system and radio (FM & DAB) also work perfectly - even significantly faster than in the newer Mach-E GT with the further development SYNC4. For parking there is a reversing camera, but - be careful - no beeping parking sensors, which have probably given way to aesthetics.

If you like it bassier, you should definitely adjust the highs, lows and the subwoofer in the equalizer - only then does the B&O sound system with 12 speakers and 1.000 watts really make a difference. Then, in addition to the engine noise, there is also the full roar from the speakers.

Since the Mach-1 should definitely not be taken out of your sight or out of the steering wheel when driving, there are no driving assistance systems as many people know. You won't find steering assistant, adaptive cruise control, matrix LED high beam and the like here. There is only a lane departure warning system, which pulls the steering wheel back to the center if you drift to the left or right edge.

Comparison to the electric Mustang (Mach-E GT)

Many thanks to Ford, who made it possible to test both vehicles with a short distance almost one after the other. If you have to decide between an electric or combustion Mustang, you should definitely have driven both variants. In short, I would classify the electric Mach-E GT as a comfortable, yet sporty SUV. The Mach-1, on the other hand, is a really cheeky beast that makes noise and conveys a racing feeling. When making a decision, you should also consider whether “bells and whistles” such as infotainment systems, driving assistance systems or similar are important to you.

Sure, you can cruise comfortably with the Mach-1, but just not as comfortably as with the Mach-E. The car for the masses is still the Mach-E (GT), which is also reflected in my subjective perception of the Mustangs on the roads. But if you need a lot of power, appreciate the feeling of the combustion engine and want to stand out, you won't be able to avoid the Mach-1. However, if you as a driver of a Mach-E (or in general) get the opportunity to drive the Mach-1, you should definitely take advantage of it, as this fellow driver will probably be threatened with extinction in the long term.

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